In this episode, Nadia and Alyssa kick off Nadia's senior year of college with an in-depth discussion about the excitement and anxieties that come with being a fourth-year student.

The conversation begins with Nadia explaining her summer dialogue experience in Spain, where she completed her Spanish minor through a 5-week study abroad program. She reflects on how the change of pace was refreshing but also made her appreciate the structure of being back on campus.

The discussion then shifts to Nadia's current activities and commitments, including her new job at Greystone cafe, her final year of gymnastics as social chair, and the upcoming co-op application process. This leads into a deeper conversation about her top three worries as a senior: choosing the right co-op (clinical vs. non-clinical), managing her tendency to overcommit herself, and the general anxiety of not knowing if she's making the right choices.

Nadia and Alyssa explore the concept of creating your own path rather than following a predetermined track, using the metaphor of different routes from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The episode concludes with discussions about future living arrangements and plans to bring guests onto the podcast to help navigate senior year decisions.

Takeaways

• Senior year brings a unique mix of excitement for new opportunities and anxiety about making the "right" choices for the future.
• Study abroad experiences like Northeastern's dialogue program can provide valuable perspective and help students appreciate their home campus structure.
• The pressure to choose between clinical and non-clinical co-ops reflects the broader challenge of figuring out career direction without having to commit permanently.
• Many students struggle with overcommitting themselves when they have free time, leading to a cycle of self-judgment and overwhelm.
• There's no single "right" path after college - like choosing different routes between cities, each path offers unique experiences and learning opportunities.
• Taking a gap year after graduation is becoming more common and can be a strategic choice rather than a delay.
• Living arrangements during extended college programs (4.5 years) present unique challenges, especially when considering expensive cities like Boston, New York, or San Francisco.

Chapters

0:10-1:01 - Welcome Back and Senior Year Introduction

1:02-3:04 - Spain Dialogue Experience and Summer Reflection

3:05-4:09 - Current Activities: Job, Gymnastics, and Co-op Applications

4:10-5:55 - Existential Crisis and Post-Graduation Anxiety

5:56-7:57 - Worry #1: Co-op Selection and Career Direction

8:08-9:19 - Worry #2: Overcommitment and Time Management

9:20-12:22 - Worry #3: General Anxiety and Creating Your Own Path

12:23-14:46 - Living Arrangements and Housing Challenges

14:47-16:18 - Future Podcast Plans and Guest Ideas